As a surgeon, I have cared for many elderly patients but I have no direct experience of aged care outside hospitals. So I need to explain why I have the temerity to criticise what those with vast amounts of experience are doing and tell them what I think they should be doing.
My experience over a long life is that those looking in from outside can often see what is happening much more clearly than those directly involved. But they can also get the wrong impression when there is insufficient information available.
It is very important that outsiders who see problems speak up but this must be followed by a dialogue between those inside the system and those outside it. Those inside must carefully consider what their critics are saying and if they don’t accept that view they must be able to explain and justify their reasons for this. If the issues raised are serious and remain unresolved then accurate data must be collected by a third party to resolve the matter.
My experience is that too often those inside the system are dedicated and believe implicitly in what they are doing. They reject the criticisms, get angry and then demonise their critics. The more likely that they are wrong, the more likely that they will do this. What Aged Care Crisis is trying to do is to create a forum within which these issues can be debated and in which policy, practices and failures can be debated without anger and acrimony.
My other reason for writing at this time is that I am getting old myself and am looking critically at what the future might hold for me. I don’t like what I see. I have the experience and feel that I have a social responsibility to speak out and explain why.
In summary
I have worked in three different countries with different health systems. I have worked in private hospitals, university hospitals and in private practice. I have known about dysfunction in health care in the USA since the 1960s and watched similar problems developing elsewhere. I have a wide and direct experience of dysfunctional social systems and the people who believe in them.
I have experienced the pluses and minuses of different political and medical systems and seen how communities and the professions respond to these. I have studied social sciences with an interest in understanding what was happening in these situations. I have studied and written about and been an activist in both health and aged care. I feel I am well qualified to criticise and raise issues that are relevant and need careful consideration.
There is an urgent need for the community to debate issues and to be involved in what is happening. They need independently collected and accurate information if they are to participate effectively. ACC is trying to initiate this process and this is my contribution.
Comments
The Australian Law Reform Commission recently completed their review into elder abuse and specifically into issues like this. They would have liked to hear your story. But don't hold your breath that government will act.
Until the bond was paid, Mum's savings were being eroded away by almost $60.00 per day in interest as well as paying a means tested fee of over $11.00 per day.
After Mum was placed into the facility, a Guardianship Hearing took place and the NSW Trustees did not take any action in view of the fact that matters were not done legally. If the NSW Trustees cannot uphold the law, then what hope is there for a War Widow with dementia?
We need laws to protect our most vulnerable members of the community and until all levels of Government step up and take responsibility, these problems will never be resolved.
Very angry and disappointed.
Most older Australians would probably like to continue with their own trusted doctor provided they had the interest, skills and the time, were close enough and had geriatric support. My impression is that it seldom works out that way so that a more dedicated and better trained staffing system for aged care facilities would be preferable.
The differing views of gerontologists and GPs on the issues you raise are addressed in Part 4, on the page "Different Viewpoints" - in the slider "Australian Medical Opinion" http://www.agedcarecrisis.com/solving-aged-care/part-4/different-viewpoints. Both issues would be a prime concern for the proposed hub. It would be well placed to address it.
I favour your view but, as an outsider I do not have the experience to contribute strongly to the debate myself. If you would Like to make a comment in Part 4 or if you prefer contribute a page setting out the issues from your perspective and suggesting changes I will invite those involved to contribute and develop a discussion on this important issue.